Transforming Tigard Heritage Trail to Destination Place

Avid walkers, joggers and bikers are likely familiar with a crescent shaped porous asphalt pathway running parallel with Tigard Street and intersecting at Tiedeman Avenue and Main Street in down town Tigard. In 2013 city leaders wasted no time to secure the ¾ mile abandoned rail right-of-way with ODOT (Oregon Depart of Trans) through a 99 year intergovernmental lease agreement. Shortly thereafter the city began trail design concepts and receiving feedback through multiple public outreach efforts.

Events and entertainment staging area, Veterans wall and flag, Clock tower, children’s splash pad have all been topics of discussion.

“An open house was held in September 2014 to present the initial trail design plan. Over 100 people participated on-line or in-person. The plan was generally well received.”

Looking East on Tigard Street… From Grant to Main Street – Green area could serve as additional parking for events… wheel chair access – ADA outdoor gym equipment…

The concept then grew legs into four main sub-areas: 1) A community plaza [now Rotary Plaza, Council Resolution 17-14] where the South trail intersects Main Street next to the commerce building; 2) a Commons area that include concepts for a dog park and/or BMX-bike-pump track; 3) a Stage Area for performance space; and 4) a second trail gateway entrance with plaza space at the north end of the trail intersecting Tiedeman Avenue.

Three popular trail themes have been reviewed for possible development after three public walk and talk sessions held this summer. The trail themes were, “Trail as Outdoor Museum; Trail as Riverine History; and Trail as Timeless Railway.” After public input – the two most popular themes appear to be timeless railway and outdoor museum.

What trail amenity or historical ideals do you have? Take city survey: http://www.tigard-or.gov/business/tigard_street_trail.php

Some of the most popular trail and plaza amenities ideals include: Rotary Plaza clock tower and peace pole, Veterans wall and flag, farmer’s market and event space in flexible plaza staging area with overpass LED accent lighting; parking under Highway overpass, and along Tigard Street abutted to heritage trail system up to Grant Street.

Also an adult outdoor fitness center with wheelchair access is possible along Tigard Street “green space” parking, Just West of HWY 99 overpass. Also competing for this space children’s splash pad zone.

Cultural and historical interactive art stations are planned along the trail way and may include time capsules… And the BMX-bike-pump track concept continues to be very popular with biking enthusiasts and community at large.

To see the full trail concept as presented to council by the design team on 8/18/15, visit: http://www.tigard-or.gov/business/EcDev/HeritageTrail_ConceptDesign.pdf

Lion Share Funded by 700k Connect Oregon VI Grant

How does the city plan to pay for the Heritage Street trail development?

“On Aug. 18, 2016, the Oregon Transportation Commission announced a $700,000 award to the city of Tigard through a Connect Oregon VI grant.” Other funding sources and donations include: Washington County MSTIP grant; City of Tigard and Down Town Urban Renewal funds and Rotary Club donations, etc. Construction is planned in 2018.

Team designers are now looking for further input in creating trail elements that compliment Tigard’s Outdoor Museum. If you missed providing input this summer – “no worries.” You can still chime in through an on-line city survey open through December 31, 2017. Simply share your Tigard stories, quotes and other historical facts and insight you think would make a great Outdoor Museum ideal and it may end up as a trail element.

Marc Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, ARNG, CPT, RET., is a member of the Tigard City Council. He is a strong proponent of City involvement in providing recreational opportunities for its residents. 2017 Copy right. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Inc., www.mirrorathlete.com

About Marc Woodard

As a fit healthy lifestyle author and consultant, retired corporate employee and retired Army officer, I've spent many years taking care of my career goals and financial security. It is now my time to give something back to my community.
Without a healthy mind, body and spirit it is really difficult to move forward to achieve great things in life. To share information is something everyone of us are capable of doing. And to share fitness and health related information with your children is the best thing you could do for them and your community.
Saving the health of our nation one person at a time is our goal.
Learn more about Marc Woodard @ LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-woodard-94003930/
Good health to you and your family.

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